In a statement issued by the WBC, the sanctioning body notified their defending bantamweight title holder, Nonito Donaire that he has less than two months to make a defense of the belt or risk having the title declared vacant.
“The World Boxing Council established communication twice with WBC bantamweight world champion, Nonito Donaire, of The Philippines, by virtue of the fact that Donaire won his title by defeating “Cochulito” Montiel, of Mexico, on February 19th, 2011, and has not put his title on the line. From the previously mentioned date up to now, four months and 13 days have gone by; Donaire has held the title since then, but has not made any defense of it. Our rules and regulations obligate all champions to make a title defense every four months, as six months without doing so represent declaring the title vacant. Considering the aforementioned facts, Nonito Donaire is being notified in time that he must comply with his obligations as a champion, and so far, we have not received a reply from the Philippine fighter.” — Official Statement, WBC
Meanwhile, Donaire is bogged down in legal issues stemming from an apparently blocked attempt to jump from current promoter, Top Rank, to Golden Boy.
In March, an arbitrating judge ruled that the defection was null and void due to a pre-existing arrangement between both promotional companies to avoid poaching one another’s talent.
Donaire still has a separate lawsuit pending in Las Vegas, looking for a dissolution of his current promotional deal based on an alleged breach of contract.
A fight, before the legal issues have been worked out, is highly unlikely, especially within the two-month grace period offered by the WBC.
Donaire also holds the WBO bantamweight title.
